by Emma Nichole
Was I… was I flirting with him? Jesus Christ, I’m in the Twilight Zone.
“Hmm. Chains. I find that very intriguing, Ms. Kingston.” He flashes me a grin then slips by me and out the door.”
What the actual fuck was that about?
I take a sip of my coffee, and of course, it’s perfect. Just the way I like it.
That both pleases and annoys the shit out me.
***
By the time I walk into Kingston’s nearly eleven hours later, I’m dead on my feet and grumpy as hell.
After our very interesting conversation in the kitchen this morning, I didn’t see much of Nathanial. Just a passing here and there when he needed something done.
He was a shell of the man who was speaking to me over coffee. I am trying not to overthink it, but I am a female, with female brain, and hormones. I’m genetically predisposed to overthinking every chance I get.
There are more people in the main seating area than normal. Our staff and Ma seem to be managing pretty well, but I still jump in and help as best I can.
Spaghetti carbonara, eggplant Parmesan, Alfredo, oh my.
Plate after plate served out to our guests. Wine flowing. Tips lining my pockets, which will eventually go straight into the register because we need all the help we can get, and when the last guest leaves at eleven, I collapse into a booth in the corner.
“I’ll just stay here and sleep. Goodnight,” I say to our hostess, Casey, with an exhausted grin.
She’s the sweetest person I’ve ever met in my life. Eighteen years old, going to college part time, while working full time with us to help take care of her siblings since her mother is a true piece of work and in prison. But I’ve never heard a single complaint out of her mouth. She’s the definition of a badass bitch.
“As long as I can do the same, you’ve got yourself a deal.” She plops down on the other side of the booth and rests her head on her hands.
It’s hard for me to look at nights like tonight, when the restaurant does so well, and not harbor some form of anger and resentment toward my father.
Had he not done the things he did before he died, nights like this would be added bonuses for the business, but now, this will only go to pay more toward the loans my mom can hardly afford as it is.
It nearly cancels all success out.
And that kills me for my mother, because it’s almost as if she is trying to ignore it, but I know the time is coming where we won’t be able to do that anymore. It’ll be time to pay up, or get your ass out.
The latter scares the hell out of me.
“I could stay just like this all night,” Casey says, “But I need to get home so I can study.”
“Go on. I can handle the cleanup tonight. You’ve got more important things to take care of.”
“I can’t let you do that, Piper.” She shakes her head, trying her best to dig her feet into the ground and be stubborn.
“I’m demanding you go. Seriously. It’s fine. You need to go home. It’s late and you have things to do. I’ve got this.”
I can see relief spread over her body in the form of relaxed shoulders and a released breath. “Thank you so much.” She stands. “I owe you.”
“Nah.” I wave her off. “You’re good people. I like to help the good ones.”
“Hey, never forget that you’re good people too.”
“I try.”
***
“Piper, I spoke with Greta Russo this morning…”
“Oh God, Ma, not this again.” I toss the cleaning rag into the bucket of soapy water that we use to clean each table and booth.
“What? Ryan is a nice boy and he just wants to get to know you. She showed him your picture and he happens to think you’re a hot tamale. I think it would be good for you to get out there. I’m not getting any younger.”
My mother’s ultimate goal is to have grandchildren. She doesn’t seem to push my brothers though, only me, and I don’t know why.
“Why are you trying to push this guy on me? You’ve been trying to set me up with him for years.”
“We must be talking about Ryan Russo,” Benjamin calls out from the kitchen. He’s clearly been eavesdropping through the small window where we pass food from the kitchen to the front.
“See. Case in point. Everyone knows who he is because you’re relentless. And you said he’s a real estate broker? That’s so… boring.”
“And what’s the matter with boring, Piper? Not everyone has to be as wild as Jason. He broke your heart, so you need a little calm in your life,” my mother scolds.
“I try really hard not to think about that, actually.”
Jason Sanders destroyed me in my most vulnerable time. We met right after my father died, and I dove headfirst into that relationship without a net.
We were together on and off for six years before finally settling into a real relationship for two years… until I found him on Long Island, fucking his coworker in the back of a car that I cosigned for.
I may or may not have almost been arrested for kicking the shit out of him in the middle of the street, but that’s neither here nor there.
I’m not one to really put my heart out there, but I did for him, and he stomped all over it. So, my new motto is strictly casual.
Orgasms and nice conversation. Nothing more.
“None of us like to think about that, Piper, but you’re closer to thirty than twenty. I don’t want you to waste your prime years.”
“My prime years? It’s not like I’m pushing fifty, and even if I was, I don’t need a man to define my prime years.” I use air quotes to emphasize the final two words.
She sighs. “You’re so stubborn. Just like your father.” She crosses her arms. “Can’t you just agree to let me give your number to Ryan? What could it hurt, Piper?”
“If I say yes, will you stop pushing me to do things before I’m ready?” I lean against the counter.
“Cross my heart. Give him a chance. He’s a sweet boy and he’s quite the looker.”
I raise one shoulder in semi-agreement.
I’ve seen photos of him, and of course I’ve stalked him on social media like any good millennial, but I’ve never felt that… spark… when I looked at him.
My mother, however, is clearly already planning the wedding.
“Fine. You can give him my number, but I’m not making any promises. Okay?”
“Just give him a shot. That’s all I ask.”
“I’ll be sure to give you every single detail of every single conversation.” I tease her then lean over to give her a hug. “I love you, Ma.”
“I love you too, Piper. With my whole heart.”
Nathanial
“Is there a reason we are still waiting for the mock-up of full jacket covers from creative?” I ask that particular department’s manager, Dylan.
“We are working through them and trying to make them as quickly as possible, but…”
“I hear you preparing to feed me some kind of excuse as to why they are not on my desk, a full day after the deadline, but I suggest you save the effort. I don’t care what the excuse is, they need to be on my desk within forty-eight hours. One missed deadline causes a domino effect and I am not willing to deal with that bullshit.”
Dylan clears his throat and makes a note in his phone. “Yes, sir, and I emailed Piper the full cover collection for Danielle Grace’s series. That’s set to release this fall. I think she has left for the day, but you should have those in the morning.”
The mention of her name is enough make my skin heat with a heady combination of frustration and desire. She has an uncanny ability to make me feel both of those things simultaneously; unlike anyone I’ve ever met in my life.
“At least that’s timely,” I say with a twist of snark. I know I’m being a fucking asshole because I’m in a bad mood, but I’m not in a place to apologize for it.
“Is there anything else you wanted to discuss before I head out? Kesha isn’t feeling well today a
nd I’d like to get home to her.”
Ah yes, the pregnant wife.
“That’s all. You can go.”
He scurries out like he was itching to leave the minute he walked in, and hell, he probably was. I’m a hard motherfucker to be around lately. Ever since I took over for my father, I have been in a perpetual bad mood: hard to work with, hard to please, and everything in between.
Honestly, the only sense of light in my dark moods is when I see Piper and she decides to push back against everything I’m dishing out.
Pushing her buttons is the highlight of my day.
***
I leave my office shortly after he does and pass by Piper’s desk, which is situated just around the corner from my door.
Against my better judgment, I pause in front of it and really take in the contents of her area.
A small fan is nestled in the corner that she rarely uses, but when she does, the air whips her hair around and sends the scent of her shampoo around her vicinity. It’s a scent I have ingrained in my mind like a fucking stalker.
She has a few pictures hanging on the wall just opposite her computer. I step closer to gaze at them and find one of her and an older woman, who I can only assume is her mother because she is the spitting image of her. There’s another of her and our receptionist, Kate. I’ve deduced from paying close attention that they’ve been friends for quite some time.
Then there’s a picture of a man, he’s young, strapping, and based on the color of the photo and the clothing he’s wearing, I know this isn’t a modern photo.
Though, I don’t know who he is. Perhaps I’ll ask one day.
She has a small, pink orchid on the edge of her desk and a glass, lidded jar with chocolate candies inside, and just beside that there’s a framed photo of a quote that reads Do what you want. Chase the excitement. Live High. Live Free.
She’s a conundrum, this one. I shouldn’t want to know about her. Hell, I shouldn’t even be looking this closely at her personal things, but I can’t seem to stop myself.
Honestly, I’m not sure I would even if I could.
Chapter 3
Piper
“So, what time are you meeting Ryan tonight?” Kate asks from her perch on the corner of my desk. She came through to bring a package that was dropped off in reception and took some time to talk my ear off for some gossip.
“Happy Friday to you too.” I laugh. “You’re very eager for my date… that I’m not even sure how you found out about.”
“Ryan told his mom, his mom told your mom, your mom told Oliver, and Oliver told me.”
“You all are worse than a sewing circle.” I pause and hold my hands up. “Whoa, hold on. Why were you talking to my brother?”
“That’s…” she hesitates, “…neither here nor there.”
“You can’t just say something like that and expect me to gloss over it.”
“Pipes, we ran into each other in the park. We were both going for a run. We ran together, had coffee… talked like old friends, because we are. You forget I’ve known him as long as I’ve known you.” She adjusts the sleeves on her top then crosses her arms over her chest.
I narrow my eyes at her suspiciously, but I let a small smile appear on my face. “Fine. I’ll accept this, because it makes sense, but just know that I’m watching you.” I use two fingers to motion to my eyes then turn to motion toward her.
“Good. Now if we can get back to more pressing matters. When are you meeting Ryan and where is he taking you?”
“I’m meeting him tonight at 8:30 at the NoMad on Broadway.”
“Damn. He’s really laying it on thick, isn’t he? But I know that’s not your style at all.”
I shake my head. “It’s really not. That’s too stuffy for me. I’m a burger and fries kind of girl. NoMad is fois gras with black truffle roasted chicken. Not for me.”
“But you have to admit, that sounds delicious.”
I roll my eyes and laugh. “I’m just hoping to get a whiskey buzz and have a good conversation.”
“And what if he wants to take the date back to his place?” She arches a brow.
“I’m not against it, but I need to see how the booze and conversation go first.”
“Ahem.”
Both of our heads whip toward the sound and find Nathanial leaning against the wall on the opposite side of my desk. I’m not even sure how long he’s been standing there. The man is light as a feather in a tall, solid, muscular body.
“I don’t remember seeing girl talk on your job descriptions. Either of you,” he says with a voice that sends shivers across my skin. I do my best to ignore it, but it’s growing more and more impossible every day.
“I’ll catch you later, Piper,” Kate says. “Sorry, Mr. Lennox.”
She scurries off, her stilettos clicking on the floor as she does so, leaving me completely alone with him.
He stares at me; his eyes boring into me and making me feel completely vulnerable. He has that aura about him. It’s powerful, sensual, and domineering.
“Can I help you with something, Mr. Lennox?”
“Actually, yes. You can help me by doing your job when you’re on the clock. That would be a wonderful start.”
I tilt my head. “You seem to be in a less than stellar mood today. Is there anything I can do to make your day more pleasant?”
I don’t know what it is about our dynamic. I’ve never been afraid to push his buttons, and he’s never afraid to push mine back. As annoying and frustrating as it can be sometimes, it does make our workday a bit more entertaining.
“My mood is the same as it is every day, Ms. Kingston.”
“That’s the truest thing I’ve heard today.”
“Actually, I was coming to ask you to show me the advertising mock-ups that were sent to you this morning.”
“I can just send them to you…”
“No, I’d like your live opinion on them. You have a keen eye for these things, and I’d like to know what you think.”
“Did you just… compliment me? Are you feeling all right?”
“Don’t get used to it, Ms. Kingston.” He steps around to my side of the desk, completely invading my space with his towering presence.
He places a hand on my desk and leans forward to get a better look at my computer screen.
The scent of his cologne is something that haunts me day in and day out. It has been that way since the first day I saw him.
I was first introduced to him the day the staff was alerted to the fact his father was stepping down from his position as CEO and handing the mantle over to his son with no explanation whatsoever. It’s been the office mystery ever since.
I walked into the office, as I always had when I was working for his father, without knocking. Which I now know is very unprofessional, but that was the relationship I had with him. He treated me well, like a friend, not like an employee.
The moment my body crossed the threshold of the office, his cologne hit me like a ton of bricks. Not in an overpowering way. It wasn’t that at all. It was crisp and inviting. I could almost physically see the wisps of scent circling around my body and up into my nose, sending delicious chills over me.
He looked up from his desk, and I swear, we had a romantic comedy moment. Time slowed down, the wind was blowing my hair sexily. All that was missing was a dog tripping me, making me fall, while he used his unrealistic reflexes to catch me before I even hit the ground.
That, however, was quickly nixed when his voice boomed across the walls. “Get the fuck out of my office!”
That moment plays in my head, even now, as he bends over next to me and that very same cologne makes its presence known.
“Are you going to open them?” he asks quietly, pulling me out of my own head.
“What? Oh! Yes.” I clear my throat. “Yes, of course.”
I click open a few files and show him what he is asking for.
“Hmm.”
That sound isn’t exactly a word. I
t’s more of an involuntary noise that emits from his throat when he is considering something. I’ve noticed it many times, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t do things to me that should never be spoken of when it’s your boss.
“What do you think of them?” he asks me. His body is crowding me in my seat. I can feel he is resting his other hand on the back of my chair. With a wall on one side of me, and his body on the other, I’m completely boxed in.
I take a breath to gather my thoughts. “Well, I think they are lacking a bit of color. Anyone could see these and walk right by them. They don’t speak to me.”
“What about the verbiage?”
“It’s exactly what we would normally use, and it’s what has proven successful in the past.”
I look away from the computer screen and up at his face, taking in his strong jawline and the hint of a five o’clock shadow forming, and I swear, I think I feel his thumb ever so slightly grazing my back.
My traitor of a body, pushes back, pursuing more of a connection, seeking an answer as to whether he was really touching me or if it was all in my head. But the moment is fleeting, and he moves away from me, taking a step back.
“Good. I want you to make the notes on this and reply on my behalf. You know what I’d like, and it’s easier for you to just take that responsibility and send it back.”
“Are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t. I don’t like being questioned, Ms. Kingston. Do it.”
Nodding my head. “All right. I’ll get that done first thing Monday morning. I just have a few things to finalize now then I’ll be heading out for the night. Is there anything else you need from me before the weekend, sir?”
He stares at me for a moment, and I can clearly see a definite tick in his jaw, like he is trying with all of his might to control… something.
“No. I do not. You can go when you finish.”
He spins on his heel and disappears back into his office.
